30 days of thanks!!!!

For the past month I've posted on my facebook what I'm Thankful for, for that day. I'm always so Thankful for these things and not just during the month of November but all the time, each and every day. I just thought it would be fun to share them with everyone and remind myself how good of a life I have on those days I start to complain and think I have a ruff life. No I don't live a perfect by any means but it could be a heck of a lot worse. 

30 days of Thanks, 

Day 1 ~ I'm thankfully for my job at EDS. A year ago today I started working there and I've met some amazing people. Can't believe its been a year already.

Day 2 I'm so thankful its Friday but man is it 5 O'clock yet bc I'm done for the day!!!!!

Day 3~ I'm so thankful my husband has had this whole past week off (even if I did have to work) including today, so we're able to do some anniversary celebrating today!!!!! Drill life really hasn't been that bad. (I'm sure ill be eating my words soon on that one) I love you baby!!

Day 4 I'm so thankful for the the few good friends I've made here on Ft. Jackson like Sarah she's always there when I need her!! Thanks Girl!

Day 5 I'm thankful for my wonderful neighbor Larry. He's a retired SGT Major, he & his are so so nice!!! He always takes care of pulling everyones (our entire circle, abt 20 houses) trash cans to the curb and back the next day. Its the little things some times.

Day 6, I'm Thankful for all the friends I've / we've made since joining the military family almost 7 years ago now. :)

Day 7 I'm so Thankful knowing my stresses at work will soon come to a end!!! I can't wait to have my girl back!!! We miss you Alicia!!!!!!

Day 8, As much as I say I'm ready to get out of the South and move on, I really am Thankful for our time here and the people I've gotten to know. Its all part of the Army life.

Day 9, I'm so Thankful that 5 years ago today I Married my best friend, the love of my life. We've been through so much over the past 5 years, things that many people should never have to endure, and never will. I wouldn't have it any other way, its gotten us were we are today. I can't wait to see what this year and the years to come have in store for us. I love you baby Always & Forever & Thensome, Happy 5 Year Wedding Anniversary!!!!!

Day 10, I'm Thankful for the courage I had this morning to get out and try something new and I made a few new friends in the process of taking pictures at hubby's "pick up" this morning which is always fun. stepping.outta.my.shell.and.outta.my.box

Day 11 I'm so Thankful for all the service men and women who have and are serving. Thank You baby for all you do for me and our country, I am so blessed to be standing beside you and supporting you along the way. Happy Veterans day!!!!!!

Day 12 I'm Thankful for a night home with no plans and nothing to do!!! Its nice to just sit back and relax and not worry about anything!

Day 13, I'm so Thankful & blessed to have such amazing, loving Grandparents. They have been such a blessing in hubby & I's life!!!

Day 14, I'm so Thankful to have such wonderful In-Loves (in-laws) they are simply amazing and go above and beyond for hubby & I. I couldn't of asked for my husband to have had a better set of parents. It's shameful that others don't see how amazing they are!!!

Day 15 I'm Thankful for my co-workers outside of my classroom. I'm able to lean on them when I'm having a day (such as today) and they help get me through it!!

Day 16 I'm so thankful for the weekend and knowing I'm only working one day next week. the.more.i.think.about.it.i.shoulda.taken.monday.off.as.well.

Day 17 I'm thankful that I'm able to do a little guiltless pampering on this chilly day. Only wish I had one of my girls here with me. Missin you Spouse, Mistress and Ang.

Day 18 I'm Thankful that hubby & I get to celebrate Thanksgiving together tonight even if it is a few days early (we.wont.be.together.on.thursday) & he drove all over town with me to find a Pecan Pie!! Love Him!!!

Day 19 I'm Thankful that I'm officially on VACAY!!!!!! yes.again :)

Day 20 I'm thankful that I get to spend the next 5 days in New York City with my mom. 

Day 21 I'm thankful for the wonderful day we've had in the Big Apple!!! I love being back in New York!!!!

Day 22 I'm so Thankful that I was able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live with my mom & friends today. It's something I've always dream of doing!!

Day 23 I'm thankful that I'm getting to experience New York during the Holidays. (as many of times as I've been here its always been during the summer months.

Day 24 I'm so Thankful that my mom invited me on this trip with her to NYC and we got to spend the past 5 days together in the city!!! I love her so much!!

Day 25 I'm Thankful the hubbs only had to work a half day today & we were able to spend some much needed time together after being away for 5 days. :)

Day 26 I'm Thankful I have no plans to travel for a good good long while!!! It's so nice to just be home sometimes.

Day 27 I'm Thankful to be able to own / drive a fun sporty muscle car, Yes crazy but I love my Challey. Thank You hubby!!!!

Day 28, I'm so Thankful for my family as crazy and out of sorts as they are I'd be lost with out them. I love you all!!!!!

Day 29 I'm Thankful for a random phone call hubby made 6 years ago today. If it wasn't for that call, I don't know that we would be together now. It's been the best 6 years of my life and I wouldn't change it for the world. Happy 6 Year Anniversary (of.being.together) Babe!!! I love you Always & Forever & Thensome!!!

Day 30, I'm Thankful for my Brother Justin. We fought like crazy growing up, I hated his guts at times as I'm sure he hated mine but he's my baby brother (even if he is bigger than me). He's been through hell and back but he will always be my brother and I love him to death. I miss him more than he knows and I can't wait till he is home and this whole journey is behind all of us. I love you bubby, not much longer now!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wishing you a Happy early Thanksgiving!!! (even if this is a little late) The hubbs and I had plans to celebrate Thanksgiving tonight since we wont be together this year on Turkey day. Last weekend when I went to the commissary I picked up a few things so we could do a little thanksgiving dinner together. We hadn't talked about it at all, doing a dinner that is. It was pretty much just known that we were going to miss this holiday together. It was by our own choice at first and we were ok with that. Then come to find out the hubbs was going to have CQ on Thanksgiving. How he got so lucky is beyond us but some how he did. I felt awful for him but in a way things kind of worked out for us. I had plans to go on a trip with my mom and a few of our friends. So I didn't feel completely horrible for leaving him. Although still I don't think it helped much. It's a big Holiday and he was going to be all alone babysitting watching over a bunch of Privates. 

Our dinner was simple and perfect for the two of us. There wasn't any big elaborate planning or prepping. It was put together within about a hour & half and we were eating shortly later. 

I love this man to death and any time we get together we try to make the most of it. Life on the trail is crazy and the hours they work are horrible. So we make moments like tonight special in our own little way. It may not have been your typical family thanksgiving but for us, just being together and being able to celebrate was enough. As we know and have many friends that are separated from their loved ones this holiday season. 

Our Thanksgiving spread!!!
Cheesy Bacon Potatoes, Ham, Green bean Casserole, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Cheesy Bread,
and for dessert Pecan Pie!

My plate, round one!!!

I'm so very thankful for the life the we have together and everything we have been through and even thankful for whats to come. Its a journey and I couldn't be more blessed / excited to be able to spend it with my best friend. 

5 Years Ago.....

......I married my best friend. Little did I know we would have gone through everything we have gone through in the past five years. I wouldn't trade if for the world though, its only gotten us were we are today. It's made us stronger and more in appreciative of each other than I ever though it would.  We've been lucky enough to have only missed out on being together for one of our anniversaries over the past 5 years, which in the military life that's rare. I know that there will be plenty more in the years to come were we wont be together but until then I'm counting my blessings. 

This year I was at a loss on what to get the hubbs for his anniversary gift. 9 times out of 10 whenever either of us want something we go out and get it ourselves. This is all fine and dandy until a day like today comes along and I'm clue less as to what to get him. I've asked and asked over and over and still come up empty handed. He ended up ordering 5 magazines for his Glock's but I still wanted to get him something that he didn't know about. That's when I decided to go with a hat press, I've been at him to get one forever but he just wouldn't give in. He said he didn't need one and was just fine using the glass cups that he'd been using. Me however not so much a fan, one it looked tacking on the desk in our kitchen and two I didn't like the messy look it left when he was at work and the glasses were just left there on the desk. The glasses left rings around the brim of the hat, he said if was character. Lame. There's a place on post called the Fire House, they do a lot of custom work for the battalions and Soldiers here on Ft. Jackson. I went in to talk to them about what I wanted and placed my order. 

I picked it up yesterday, the day before our anniversary and was more than pleased with it. It took everything I had not to give it to him last night but I held out. This morning while he was still getting ready I went and got it out of the car and put it together with his Drill SGT hat in it. It looks great, I'm so happy no more glass cups on the counter. He liked it a lot and started checking it out right away. I was so glad that he liked it. Check in the box for me this year. As much as I try to figure out what I'm going to get him each year, it always ends up working out in the end. 

Last night while I was cooking dinner the hubbs brought down a large Victoria Secret bag from upstairs. I'm big on waiting to do the gift exchange until the day of, that's just me. Like I said I was in the middle of cooking dinner and wanted to get it done. In the mean time he kept at me to come and open up the bag. Finally I did & while doing so I told him he wasn't getting my gift till the next day. He said that's fine because I still have something else for you. Really talk about totally out doing himself this year, as he always does. It was a comfy pair of PJ's to help me stay warm during these crazy cold winter nights we've been having. I love them, they are so cute and just perfect. 

This morning when I was getting ready he left a small package on the kitchen counter with a card. As soon as I looked at the label on the outside of the package I knew exactly what it was. Every year since we've been married he's gotten me a necklace for our anniversary. So when he asked me what I wanted this year it only seemed fitting to reply with a necklace. What better one than a Living Locket Necklace from Origami Owl, ever since I saw them a few months ago I've been eyeing one. I showed him a few of the charms I liked and left it at that. He came through, not that I though he wouldn't I knew he would. 

The charms included are a pair of flip fops, a running shoe, a boot, a cupcake, a sea turtle, a key with a heart at the end, the number 5, the year 2012 and a yellow ribbon. Dressed and ready for our road trip to Atlanta for the day!!!

To celebrate our Anniversary this year we decided to go to the Worlds Largest Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. It only seemed fitting since we were married in a Aquarium. The Dallas World Aquarium back in Texas, its a beautiful place and our wedding was perfect. I wouldn't of changed a thing. (I might be a little biased though lol). We had heard that the Atlanta Aquarium was comparable to the DWA so we figured it had to be good. We made the 3 & 1/2 hour drive early this morning and got there just after they opened. 

The Atlanta Aquarium wasn't anything like the DWA, they are so different in many ways. I honestly think they consider it the worlds largest aquarium simply because of the size of the building. We weren't disappointed but we didn't love it. We can say we've been but I really don't think we will ever go back. It was neat and I'm so glad we decided to celebrate our anniversary by going. We had a great time and best part is we were able to spend the day together. 

 The Belugas ~ I could of stayed here for hours and watched them swim around they are beautiful creatures. 

Some random fishies we saw through out our day. 

Penguins are so stinkin cute!!! In one of the large aquariums they had some of the biggest sting rays that I've ever seen. 

Jelly Fish!!!! 

 Another wall to wall and over the ceiling aquarium with hundreds of different fish. These are my favorite to look at. 

We had a lot of fun, there was even a live dolphin show we were able to go to. Sadly we weren't aloud to take pictures or video during it. Bummer. That probably was my favorite part of the Aquarium, I'd never seen anything like it before. Its amazing how people can train Dolphins to do the things they were doing. 

After we were done at the Aquarium we made our way over to the The World of Coca Cola Museum . It just so happened to be right next to the Aquarium and was free for Military so we couldn't pass that up. It was filled with loads of history and fun facts. I gave up drinking soda over two years ago but before that I was never a big Coke fan. But the museum was neat in its self. 

I love this guy so much, he does so much for me and I love it!!! 

 Some old vintage posters in the museum. 

This is the vault were the secret recipe of Coca-Cola is held. 

At the end of our tour we were able to take a bottle of Coke that was made right there in the factory. The gift shop at the museum was so big there was a ton of stuff. if I was a Coke fan I would have def. been in trouble, good thing I'm not lol.

We headed out to dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory before making the drive home. We talked about trying something local or different but when we saw they had a CCF we had to go. We don't have one in Columbia, the closest one is about a hour & half away. We're big fans if you can't tell. All in all it was a great day, we both were able to get off from work and spend it together. I still can't believe its been 5 years since we said our "I do's", sometimes it seems like forever ago but then other days it seems  like it was just last month. I can't wait to see what the next 5 years has in store for us or even the next 10, 20, 30 plus years. But as long as we are together I'll be happy as ever!!! It's by far been the best 5 years of my life and I know that the hubbs would say the same thing, 

Happy 5 Year Wedding Anniversary Baby!!!! I love you!!!!

This was us 5 years ago on our wedding day. :) 

Hot Air Balloon Festival

One of the things on my "30 b4 30" list was to ride in a hot air balloon. So when I heard about the Balloons over Anderson Festival coming to town I new it was the perfect opportunity. And what better way than to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary that was coming up the following weekend. Thankfully the hubbs managed to get out of working the Jane Wayne day our battalion was putting on so we could go together. We made the drive to Anderson which is about 2 hours away from Columbia just in time to check out the festival before our check in time. The festival its self was pretty small didn't have a whole lot to offer. It didn't really bother me though, we were there to see the balloons.
We checked in and met our pilot, his name was Kenny and seemed really nice. He informed us that we would be riding with the Mayor of Anderson. Thank Goodness we weren't from there or living there, I didn't have to worry about the hubbs saying anything crazy, lord knows he would lol.

Finally just after 4pm all of the pilots and their crew split off and started setting up there balloons. It was really neat to see all of the different designs and colors.  

This is our balloon going up! The inside had a smiley face at the top. 

Here we are up in the air, absolutely loving it!!!! 

Happy 5 Year Anniversary Baby!!!!!

The Clemson Balloon went up next to us, had to take some pictures and share the love for all my Gamecock fans. 

Just a few of the 20 balloons that set off with ours. This was the smallest flight for the festival from what we were told. Apparently another city put a lower bid on the festival a few years back so its been moved to another city but Anderson still puts on a small festival every year. 

 Seriously this was the best day ever, we had so much fun. I couldn't stop smiling and the best part was that the hubbs enjoyed it just as much. I love being able to do things like this with him. I can't even begin to think of what we are going to do next year for our anniversary to top this one.

These are just some more balloons from the flight. Along with the reflection of our balloon when we were up in the air. The sky was filled with tons of color, there were cars stopped along the highway watching the balloons pass over and people standing in their drive way wavy at us. It was so cool. I was like a kid in a candy store :).

We had a slight scare, (well I did) before we landed. The pilot was communicating back and forth with the pick up crew on were we were going to land. In the process a tree popped out of no were and we had no choice but to take it out. To say I was a little nervous would be a understatement. Pilot Kenny didn't seem to concerned though, and thankfully if didn't hit the balloon only the basket but it didn't do any damage. Finally after a wonderful ride over a beautiful city we were back on the ground. The landing was a bit hard but I guess that's normal. We finished off with a little champagne toast and a story on the history of the hot air balloon. It was the best way to finish out our first five years of marriage, reaching new highest and moving up in the world. I seriously love this man so much!!!! 

HAPPY 5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BABY!!!! I LOVE YOU ALWAYS & FOREVER & THENSOME!!!!